September in Colorado can be a little deceiving. One day you’re enjoying sunshine and temperatures that still feel like summer, and before you know it, you’re waking up to frost and thinking about turning on the heat.
That’s why early fall is a great time to give your home a little attention.
Taking care of a few simple maintenance items now can help prepare your home for colder weather, protect your investment, and leave you with more time to enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Check Your Furnace and Replace Your Filter
Don’t wait until the first cold morning to find out your heating system needs attention.
Replace or inspect your furnace filter and make sure your heating system is ready for the season ahead. Depending on your system and its recommended maintenance schedule, fall may also be a good time to have it professionally serviced.
A little preparation now can help keep your home comfortable when Colorado temperatures start dropping.
Don’t Wait for the First Freeze
Colorado weather can change quickly, which means outdoor plumbing deserves some attention before freezing temperatures arrive.
Disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets and follow the winterization recommendations for your home’s outdoor plumbing. If you have a sprinkler system, make plans to have it properly winterized according to your system’s needs.
Getting ahead of the first hard freeze is much easier than dealing with damage afterward.
Clean Your Gutters and Check Drainage
Falling leaves are beautiful on the trees—not quite as helpful when they’re clogging your gutters.
Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts and make sure water can drain away from your home. Take a quick look around your property for areas where water may collect near the foundation and address drainage concerns before snow and freezing temperatures arrive.
Give Your Home’s Exterior a Once-Over
You don’t need to be a home inspector to notice when something doesn’t look right.
Walk around your home and visually check the roof, siding, exterior paint, caulking, windows, and doors. Look for obvious damage, gaps, or areas that may need professional attention before winter weather sets in.
Fall is a much nicer time to address an exterior maintenance project than the middle of a Colorado snowstorm!
Check Windows and Doors for Drafts
Cold air has a way of finding every little opening.
Check the weatherstripping around exterior doors and windows and look for areas where you can feel drafts. Replacing worn weatherstripping or addressing gaps can help keep your home more comfortable as temperatures fall.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Seasonal changes are a great reminder to check the safety equipment throughout your home.
Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries or units as recommended by the manufacturer. It’s a quick task that can make a big difference in keeping your household safe.
Prepare Your Outdoor Living Spaces
Before snow makes an appearance, give your backyard and outdoor living areas some attention.
Clean and store seasonal items as appropriate, cover or protect outdoor furniture, put away gardening supplies, and prepare grills, firepits, and other outdoor equipment according to manufacturer recommendations.
And don’t pack everything away too quickly—Colorado often gives us plenty of beautiful fall afternoons to enjoy the patio!
Take Care of the Little Things
Fall maintenance doesn’t have to happen all at once. Walk through your home and make a list of those little projects you’ve been meaning to tackle.
Change filters, check light bulbs, clean dryer vents according to manufacturer guidance, organize the garage, touch up paint, and get your entryway ready for wet shoes and snowy boots.
A few small projects each weekend can make your home feel ready for the season ahead.
Make Fall Maintenance Part of Your Routine
Owning a home means taking care of the place where so much of life happens. Seasonal maintenance can help protect that investment while keeping your home comfortable and ready for whatever Colorado weather brings next.
At Challenger Homes, we believe Making Life Better doesn’t stop when you receive the keys to your new home. It’s about enjoying your home, taking care of it, and creating a place where life’s moments can unfold for years to come.
So before the first freeze arrives, pour yourself a cup of coffee, make your fall checklist, and give your home a little extra care. Then get back to the best part—enjoying fall in Colorado.